Half a Century of Interdisciplinarity and Innovation

Photos: Peter Kolb

In July 1970, the Bavarian State Parliament approved the establishment of a new university in Bayreuth. The first lecture at the University of Bayreuth (UBT) took place 50 years ago in autumn. Since then, UBT has become a key player in Bavaria’s academic landscape, shaping the economy and society of Upper Franconia. Today, it stands as one of Germany’s most dynamic smaller universities, attracting top-tier researchers and a diverse student body that enriches the region.

From the beginning, interdisciplinarity has been a defining strength of UBT. Here, scholars from the humanities and social sciences collaborate with natural scientists and engineers to tackle major global challenges. A recent example is RAIS² – the Research Centre for AI in Science & Society, which serves as a central hub for AI expertise at UBT.

UBT has also been a leader in environmental sciences, materials research, and polymer chemistry for five decades. Groundbreaking discoveries in microplastics, biomaterials, and battery technology have repeatedly made headlines. The Faculty of Life Sciences in Kulmbach has positioned UBT at the forefront of research on nutrition, food, and health in Germany.

For 50 years, African Studies has been a unique research focus in Germany, supported by scholars from multiple disciplines. The Bayreuth Graduate School for African Studies, Iwalewahaus, and the Africa Multiple Excellence Cluster are flagship projects that have earned international recognition.

Innovative, interdisciplinary degree programs have been a hallmark of UBT from the start. Notable recent additions include Data Science & AI, Sports Economics, Geoecology, and Philosophy & Economics. The term "Bayreuth-style economist" has been a mark of excellence for decades, with UBT’s law and economics programs consistently ranking among the best in Germany. This reputation has also fueled a surge in start-ups and entrepreneurial initiatives, positioning UBT as a "Founder University." Institutions such as the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Campus Academy have played a key role in fostering a culture of knowledge transfer and business creation. UBT is now ranked among the top universities of its size in Germany’s Founder Radar.

UBT has always looked beyond its borders. What began with African Studies has evolved into a global network of over 350 international partner universities and offices in Shanghai, Melbourne, and Bordeaux.

"We celebrate our first half-century with pride and look forward to the future, where the University of Bayreuth will continue to drive knowledge, innovation, and community," says University President Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible.

Link: www.uni-bayreuth.de/50jahre

UBT Today: As of the Winter Semester 2024/25, UBT has nearly 12,000 students, including 2,667 first-semester students. In 2023, 2,177 students successfully completed their bachelor’s, master’s, teaching, or law degrees, while in 2024, 1,359 doctoral candidates were working on their dissertations, with 209 successfully completing their doctorates. The university employs 2,661 full-time staff, including 1,634 academic employees and 281 professors, all contributing to UBT’s success. (Data as of February 2025)